SYNOPSIS & MUSICAL NUMBERS

Candide, the Baron’s lowly illegitimate nephew, lives in the Baron’s castle in Westphalia, Germany. Candide is unfortunately in love with Cunegonde, the Baron’s daughter. Cunegonde and her brother Maximilian, along with Candide and Paquette the serving maid, are happy with their lots (“Life is Happiness Indeed”). The four have learned their Optimistic happiness from Dr. Pangloss, an egotistical philosopher (“The Best of All Possible Worlds”). Cunegonde decides to try an experimental kiss with Candide, then, professing their love for each other, Candide and Cunegonde dream of what married life might be (“Oh, Happy We”).

Candide is promptly exiled, wandering alone with only his faith in Optimism to cling to (“It Must Be So”). Just then, the Bulgar and Zabar armies go to war (“Battle Music”). Candide returns to the ruins of Westphalia searching for Cunegonde (“Candide’s Lament”). While searching, he meets James, an Anabaptist, who gives him two florins. Candide in turn gives these coins to a ravaged Pangloss who tells him of a disease he contracted from Paquette (“Dear Boy”). The Anabaptist offers the men employment and they set sail to Lisbon, Portugal. However, as they arrive, a volcano erupts and an earthquake results in the death of thousands. Pangloss and Candide are blamed for the disaster, arrested as heretics, and publicly tortured by order of the Grand Inquisitor (“Auto-da-Fé”).

Meanwhile, in Paris, France, Cunegonde ruminates on what she has done to survive (“Glitter and Be Gay”). Candide coincidentally reunites with Cunegonde (“You Were Dead, You Know”). However, the Old Lady, Cunegonde’s companion, forewarns Cunegonde and Candide of impending disaster. The three flee to Cadiz, Spain, where the Old Lady tells them of her past. Cunegonde’s jewels are stolen and in turn the Old Lady offers to sing for their supper (“I Am Easily Assimilated”). A half-caste, Cacambo, arrives with the Captain of a merchant ship. Accepting an offer to fight for the Jesuits in Montevideo, Uruguay, Candide agrees to take Cunegonde, the Old Lady and Cacambo to the New World (“Quartet Finale”).

Landing in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Candide and Cacambo leave to find the Governor to secure humble lodgings before heading south. The Old Lady convinces Cunegonde that a marriage with the Governor would better support their finances (“We Are Women”). Maximilian and Paquette, having been captured as slave girls, reunite. The Governor falls in love with Maximilian (“My Love”), but soon realizes his “mistake” and hands him off to a priest.

Convinced by the Old Lady that the authorities are after them, Candide and Cacambo flee into the jungle where they are lost and starving. They eventually come upon the mythical lost city of Eldorado (“Introduction to Eldorado”). The two discover streets paved with gold and gems. Candide suggests they use these riches to ransom back Cunegonde. The locals think him foolish to leave, but offer to help, constructing a machine that will lift them over the mountains (“The Ballad of Eldorado”).

Alighting at a Dutch colony in Surinam, Candide meets Vander- dendur, newly arrived from Buenos Aires, who offers his ship bound for America. Candide sends Cacambo off to retrieve Cunegonde and then to meet him in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Dutch locals wish Candide a safe journey (“Bon Voyage”). Candide’s ship sinks and a storm drowns Vanderdendur and his crew.

After climbing aboard another ship docking in Santa Monica, California, Candide and a fellow sailor board a bus full of nuns headed to Vegas (“Money, Money, Money”). Pangloss is surprisingly discovered among them. The sailor gives Candide a letter supposedly written by Cunegonde. He is taken to find her, but instead stumbles upon Paquette, now a prostitute. Maximilian arrives, himself now the corrupt Prefect of Police. Cacambo finds Candide and announces that Cunegonde is now working as a showgirl in a notorious nightclub. They all rush out to find her. Upon seeing what she has become, Candide’s image of her is shattered (“Nothing More Than This”). Candide does not speak for several days. With what little money they have left, they purchase a small farm as Candide ponders his many travels (“Universal Good”). Candide finally speaks, asking to marry Cunegonde, and resolving to create an accepting community within an imperfect world (“Make Our Garden Grow”).